Data Roaming in Turkey for Travelers 2024: Rates & How to Avoid It

Do you want to know how to maintain an internet connection when going to Turkey? If you want to save money and prevent inconvenience, you may be interested in learning more about data roaming in Turkey and the alternatives. Data roaming is defined, implemented, and explained in this article, along with its prices, methods for avoiding it, and the top choices for internet connection in Turkey. Come on, we can begin!

I. Phone Roaming in Turkey – Quick Facts for Tourists

Here are a few things you should know about phone roaming in Turkey before we get into the details:

• The roaming limitations do not apply to Turkey since it is not a member of the EU or EEA. Using your phone in Turkey will cost you extra without a roaming subscription.
• Turkey’s top three mobile network carriers are Türk Telekom, Turkcell, and Vodafone. Some provide 5G, 4G, and 2G services. Your location and network operator determine the speed and dependability of your network.
• Turkey uses GSM, which works with most phones from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Your US or South American CDMA phone may only function in Turkey if it supports GSM and is dual-SIM or multi-band.
• Like most of Europe, Turkey utilizes plugs of Type C or Type F. It is expected to have 220 volts and 50 hertz. An adapter or converter can be necessary if your gadget requires a different voltage or uses another connection.

II. Understand about Roaming in Turkey – How It Works

Let’s discuss phone roaming in Turkey now that everything is clear. When going abroad, mobile devices are “roaming” on foreign networks. In this sense, “data roaming” connects your phone to a foreign network. This also works for Turkey.

Your phone uses the local network while you’re on vacation. Your carrier charges extra for this feature. These charges may be substantially more than at home, depending on your carrier, plan, region, and usage.

To demonstrate, a UK SIM card user visiting Turkey will pay £6 for 25 MB of data consumption and £6 for every 25 MB after that. The 100 MB daily data limit costs £24 roaming. A week’s data consumption (1 GB) will cost £168 in roaming. This sample price may vary by carrier and plan.

III. Is the Roaming Rate in Turkey Expensive?

Yes. Data roaming in Turkey may be expensive, especially for heavy users. Turkey isn’t in the EU or EEA; thus, you can’t enjoy the free or reduced roaming rates. Your carrier usually has higher roaming fees.

Prices for data roaming in Turkey from the most popular UK, US, and Australian carriers:

Carrier	Country	Rates data roaming in Turkey for Data Usage
EE	UK	£6 per day for up to 25 MB, £6 for every additional 25 MB
O2	UK	£3.99 per day for up to 120 MB, £3.99 for every additional 120 MB
Vodafone	UK	£6 per day for unlimited data
AT&T	US	$10 per day for unlimited data
Verizon	US	$10 per day for 0.5 GB, $10 for every additional 0.5 GB
T-Mobile	US	$5.25 per MB
Telstra	Australia	$5 per day for 200 MB, $5 for every additional 200 MB
Optus	Australia	$10 per day for unlimited data
Vodafone	Australia	$5 per day for unlimited data

If your daily internet consumption reaches a few gigabytes, roaming in Turkey might be costly. To avoid these expensive roaming fees, you should choose cheaper and more convenient internet options in Turkey. We will give affordable suggestions below.

IV. How to Avoid Roaming Charges When Traveling to Turkey

While visiting Turkey, there are several options for avoiding fees of data roaming in Turkey, each with advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most typical choices are as follows:

1. Buy a local SIM card

In Turkey, this is among the best and most affordable online options. You may purchase prepaid SIM cards from Türkcell, Vodafone, and Türk Telekom at the airport, kiosks, and stores.

To use a Turkey SIM card, you must pay a little cost and register your passport. Select an affordable data plan next. Acquiring 1 GB of data costs 20 TL ($2.5). 

With this plan, you may enjoy fast local speeds and no roaming costs. You risk losing your home number when you switch SIM cards, and there can be language or technical problems when you purchase and activate your new SIM.

2. Use free Wi-Fi

This is another inexpensive and quick Turkish online option. However, it must be safer and more trustworthy. Free Wi-Fi is provided at hotels, restaurants, stores, museums, and public spaces. Email, online surfing, and social networking are among the uses. 

Geography and user density might diminish Wi-Fi speed and quality. Wi-Fi networks may be vulnerable, so keep sensitive data carefully. A VPN protects your data and identity when utilizing sensitive information or conducting online transactions on public Wi-Fi networks.

3. Use a mobile hotspot

A pocket WiFi device for Turkey creates a Wi-Fi hotspot utilizing mobile data. This device uses a SIM card to create mobile data connection. Popular pocket WiFi providers like Skyroam, Travelwifi, and Tep Wireless offer or rent mobile hotspots for multiple devices.

You should choose a budget-friendly data bundle that connects many devices. However, this device also comes with drawbacks, such as incompatible gadgets and chargers, short battery life, and network issues.

V. Turkey eSIM – Alternative to Data Roaming in Turkey to Get Internet

Utilize a Turkey eSIM instead of data roaming in Turkey. An eSIM lets you switch data plans without removing it from your phone. Most mobile devices, desktops, and wearables support eSIMs, which offer various benefits over SIM cards.

• Keeping your home number and using local data don’t require multiple smartphones or SIM cards.
• Choose a data plan from many providers to meet your needs.
• Local data prices may reduce roaming and expenses.
• Avoiding language, technical, and SIM card acquisition, registration, and activation may save time.
• No carrier lock-in lets you use your area’s fastest and most dependable network for better coverage and speed.

As a specific suggestion, you should choose a reputable eSIM provider like Gigago to get cheap and flexible data plans.

For Turkey, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1 GB for 3 days with $6.00 . What is great about Gigago’s Turkey eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $6.00 – $136.90 . Thus, it does not matter how Internet users you are and how long your trip is in Turkey, there is always an option for you with Gigago.

To use Gigago Turkey eSIM, you need to follow these simple steps:

• Download the Gigago app on your phone or visit the Gigago Turkey eSIM.
• Choose the eSIM plan that suits your needs and make payment
• Get the Turkey eSIM QR code by email or the app, then scan it with your mobile device to activate and download the profile.
• Follow the guidelines on screen to activate the plan
• Stay connected in Turkey once you land in the country without worrying about expensive roaming costs.

With Gigago Turkey eSIM, you may save time and money when connecting to the internet in Turkey. If you want to utilize your Gigago eSIM while traveling, they have data options available for more than 190 countries. Visit their website or app to learn more and get discounts.

VI. How to Turn Off Data Roaming When Traveling in Turkey

Use a local SIM card, mobile hotspot, or eSIM instead of data roaming in Turkey to prevent inadvertent costs. This is how:

Turn off international data roaming in Turkey on Android When Traveling.

• Go to Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Data roaming.
• Toggle off the switch for Data roaming.
• You can also turn off Mobile data to use only Wi-Fi or another device for internet access.

Turn off international data roaming in Turkey roaming on iPhones

• Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Data Roaming.
• Toggle off the switch for Data Roaming.
• You can also turn off Cellular Data to use only Wi-Fi or another device for internet access.

VII. FAQs

VIII. Conclusion

You may find data roaming in Turkey both bothersome and expensive if you use a lot of data or stay for a long time. An eSIM, free Wi-Fi, mobile hotspots, or a local SIM card may provide a better and cheaper internet connection in Turkey. It could be challenging to roam. 

Because of its speed, comprehensive network coverage, and practicality, an eSIM is the best option. Turkey is one of the countries where Gigago offers flexible and affordable data plans for eSIM subscribers. Their website and app include more information and discounts.